1. The proposed toll between the Stateline to Milwaukee on I-94 is a federal interstate. The federal government just spent millions to redo much of that stretch. Under current federal law, most or all of that aid would have to be paid back to the feds. How is this being paid for? Long term debt? Has this been factored into the toll solution?2. Future federal aid will no longer be available for projects related to that stretch. Generally, only 10% is funded by the state. With tolls, the state is on the hook for 100%. Has this 10 fold increase in expense been factored into the toll solution?3. Any revenue generated by the tolls used for other projects will eliminate any federal funding for those projects. Has this been factored into the toll solution?4. Tolls will include new infrastructure costs that will be funded solely by the state. Has the increase in new infrastructure been factored into the toll solution?

This idea has been floating around in other states. They have come to the conclusion that the cons far outweigh the pros. One only needs to look at Texas Tollways 130, which was privately funded and constructed, as is being proposed in Wisconsin. They went bankrupt in March 2016, 10 years after being awarded the contract.

A crisis scenario is being presented for our state roads and that there is not enough revenue to support our roads. Then why is the legislature taking on new costs that will eliminate a revenue source? How is funding 10% considered a problem but 100% not? What will the toll solution do to our long term debt?

The Dane County Board recently created a Regional Transit Authority (RTA) for the purpose of creating and operating a commuter rail line. The arguments against this creation were obvious, but they did it anyway. The Wisconsin 9/12 group and We The People Of The Republic were out in force trying to stop it, but the Dane County Board didn’t care.

So what is the big deal? This only will affect Dane County right? Wrong!!! The RTA will now seek to have other counties who “use” the rail lines included in the RTA, and be on the hook for a part of the cost. That means another NEW TAX on all of us! Tell all of your County Board Supervisors we do not want to be part of any RTA.

On top of that sickening news, the feds are seeking to pass new laws for “safety oversight” of subways and light rail lines. As with the rest of things done by the Federal Gov’t, now be prepared to see more bureaucracy, more mandates, more spending, and more waste. Here is the link to the story: Federal oversight of subways proposed

Reminder: At our October 23 meeting, former WI Supreme Court Candidate Judge Randy Koschnick will talk about the Constitution and answer any questions people have. The meeting is located at Kendall Packaging, 707 N. Parkway Street in Jefferson and starts at 6pm.

Reminder: On October 27 at 7pm the Jefferson County Board will hear from the public about the budget. I encourage as many as possible to attend and tell the supervisors to cut more fat out of the budget excluding the essential services (law enforcement/EMS, and Road Maintenance). They are still proposing a tax increase of about 3.6% when they can cut in other areas. They could cut the spending on the county parks ($749,000 to cut the grass) and close down the courthouse for one day a week to save money. Tell them you want Countyside Nursing Home sold, not a Co-Op! The level of care will not be reduced!

Reminder: Watertown area residents check out this link regarding the school board meeting on October 26th and the proposed tax increase. You need to get there to fight against the proposed 14% tax increase by the school district because WEAC will be there pushing for the tax increase. Check out what they sent to their members. Here is the link: http://www.jaywebershow.com/

Congratulations to all you conservative minded people! This is a win for the people of Jefferson County! You did not buy into the FEAR perpetuated by the people who wanted to raise your taxes 16.56%. You see that all levels of government are out of control spending OUR money. You believe the private sector can do a better job than government. You realize as Ronald Reagan said, “Government is not the solution to the problem, government is the problem.”

However, remember the fight is not over. They still are going to raise taxes over 8%, and probably more in the future. We need them to see that it is their duty to cut taxes!

Now, maybe the county board members who voted for this budget should be voted out when they are up for reelection . That would mean a lot of change, because only three of the supervisors voted against it. We need to remain vigilant!

This is in response to the Daily Union story regarding the grass-roots effort to vote “YES” on the county referendum to increase property taxes 16.56 percent to “save” Countryside Nursing home. The county is already increasing property taxes over 8.5% even without passing the referendum. I don’t think many people in Jefferson County have seen a wage increase of over 8.5% let alone 16.56%.

Let me start with the premise that Countryside will “leave” if county residents vote “NO”. This is nothing more than real FEAR perpetuated by the very same people who claim that people should not cast a vote of “NO” out of fear. While Jefferson County may not run the nursing facility anymore, this does not prevent them from selling it to a company that will continue to operate it as a nursing facility.

Then, there is the argument that the quality of care will be reduced. Again this is more of the same i.e. FEAR. Nursing facilities have to follow state and federal regulations. If there are violations, they can and should be cited.

The truth is that this is NOT a mandated service, nor is it a role of government. Half of the counties in Wisconsin have already figured this out, and therefore do not run nursing homes. How much more can the overburdened taxpayer afford?

If Countryside were sold, the county would receive the money from the sale to reduce the tax levy. The county would not have to pay for the facility & upkeep or the 115 full-time / 62 part-time employees that work there. Furthermore, a private facility would generate tax revenue for the county/city.

I suspect that much of this grass-roots effort is mostly from the employees themselves. Think about it…there is a combined total of 177 employees working there. If a private group took over, there would be streamlining of excesses, which could include non-mandated employees. Private business has to worry about the bottom line unlike government, which can just increase taxes.

The tax increase of 8.56% alone is already OUTRAGEOUS, not even mentioning the additional tax increase on top of that. School districts are increasing their tax levies to offset the reduction in State Aid enacted by this latest budget passed by the state Democrats. I have already heard from people about the increases in their auto insurance premiums, again thanks to this state budget. WE CANNOT AFFORD MORE TAXES…I encourage all of you to vote “NO” on the referendum.

Along the same lines, when the county is increasing taxes, why are they spending close to $1.2 million on the county parks? (Note: The actual levy is about $730,000 so far.) Why the spending? Why not have more county jail Huber inmates cut the grass to reduce cost? Why not have community / public service groups who use the parks, bike/snowmobile trails donate some of their time to take care of what they utilize? And if no one volunteers, then maybe the parks could return to a more natural state.

There has to be a change in the paradigm. No longer can it be “That’s the way we have always done it.” Instead we must think outside the box. As Ronald Reagan said, “Government is not the solution to the problem, government is the problem.”

The budget for The School District of Fort Atkinson includes a tax levy increase of 4.85%. While they don’t have the exact figures on how much it will affect homeowners, look for a tax increase. Based on my current school district tax levy, a 4.85% increase will amount to a $122 per year tax increase.

The Jefferson County tax levy increase, even WITHOUT PASSING the referendum, is 8.41%. Based on my current county taxes, a 8.41% increase will amount to a $108 per year tax increase. If the referendum passes (proposing a total tax increase of 16.56%), my county taxes will increase over $213 per year.

This is outrageous! We spent 1 year contracting and building our home. We literally put our blood, sweat, and tears into it. We moved into a small 2 bedroom apartment during the building process. There were sacrifices upon sacrifices to obtain a part of the American Dream. Now, if this out of control taxation continues, we will be taxed out of the very home we built.